Survey of curriculum and instruction: continuing education courses in pain control

Pain and anxiety control is taught at the continuing education level in a large number of diverse courses. This paper reports the results of a survey of those courses offered in 1976. The majority of courses centered on the use of inhalation or intravenous sedation. Relatively few courses were offered on the other aspects of pain and anxiety control. Very little attempt is being made at formally evaluating the competence of participants in these courses. Few courses appear to adequately cover the prevention and management of complications. Based on these findings, changes are suggested in the teaching of pain and anxiety control at the continuing education level.